Boat Buying Guide

With summer around the corner and the boat show season drawing to a close, Andrew Galwey looks at the how-to of buying your dream boat at the right price.

As the fine spring weather melds into the warm and sunny summer conditions many of us get the first urge to get out on the water. And a fair portion will no doubt be thinking of taking the plunge and buying their own pride and joy to take to the water for themselves.
For those who are considering just this, you will no doubt be conscious of the many considerations that come with buy a boat. With burgeoning boat shows, determined sales staff and dealers and even the increased foreign presence on the local boating market, it can seem like a daunting task just getting started.
To that end the best thing you can do when starting out is to make a list of the things you want in a boat, in order of importance. Take some time to think of what you are really after. For most there is no perfect boat but a thorough list will help you get as close to the mark as possible when selecting your model.
As an example, if you are a die-hard fisherman then the chances are youll buy a boat that can take on offshore conditions and will need to look accordingly. Similarly, if you have a family or mates that you intend on taking on the water on the weekend you will be looking for a vessel with some cockpit space or at least some shelter and weather protection. Alternatively, if you have more modest ambitions and perhaps just want to occasionally dangle a line on the harbour or estuary then a smaller boat may be more practical.
That brings us to the most important consideration - the bottom line. Most of us would love a 50-foot motor cruiser but few of us have the means. Thus drawing up a budget before you begin is an important thing to do.
Plenty of people buy boats only to find out later they cant afford. Boating should be about enjoyment so the last thing we want to do is spend more than we can afford.
A good budget will include not just the drive-away price of the boat, but also on-going costs like registration, insurance, motor service, fuel, oil and general upkeep.

Boat Packages
When it comes time to buy boats there will be plenty of different options too. For a first boat buyer looking for a factory model, the BMT (boat, motor, trailer) package has appeal. With this package the advantage is that the boat has been allocated an appropriate engine and trailer, which saves the buyer the hassle of doing it personally.
The cut price specials offered by dealers may also have immediate appeal for the savings that are on offer, but caution should be taken here. These deals often will leave you with a bottom of the line trailer and an underpowered engine package.
Also when choosing an engine it pays to be aware of the recommended power range. Over powering, or under powering will result in reduced on water efficiency so should be avoided. Remember too that the cheapest motor will not always deliver the best outcome.
A good tip is to make a list of what comes standard with any sort of new and used boats you look at. As a general rule a standard package should always include necessary items such as trailer tie-downs, a battery box, anchor gear, lifejackets and an inshore safety pack. Sometimes dealers will throw in things such a VHF radio or sounder as part of the purchase although that is by no means guaranteed.
Once price has been considered you also need to consider the quality of the boat, the construction material and its rigidity, quality of the finish and the reputation of the builder. The better-regarded brands definitely attract better resale value. Constructors of lesser renown might offer a cheaper boat, however their resale value will be less and they might be harder to sell.
Dont be afraid to ask the dealer the tough questions. After all, as a buyer you have a right to know all the details of what you are purchasing. Furthermore, ask to do an on-water test of the boat because the results can be revealing. Boats tend to look pretty impressive in the show room, but you arent paying for them to be driveway decoration!

Water Test
Where possible get out on the water, put the boat through its paces and see how it really performs and if it suits your needs.
Just about all dealerships nowadays will let you try before you buy, but you should aim for a test during spring or perhaps early autumn as the summer silly season tends to find many dealers operating flat out.
Similarly, you can always read up on boat tests of vessels that take your fancy. TBF has over 500 tests on its online database and these are readily accessible to subscribers. These tests can be accessed at the www.marinews.com website and provide thorough, unbiased appraisal of a plethora of brands and models.
As mentioned beforehand the size of the boat you purchase should reflect your on-water ambitions. The size of your purchase will depend upon the amount of money you have to spend but other important factors include your location and your towing capacity.
If you are a fisherman and living near by small lakes and estuarine waters then a smaller, fishing boats with flatter bottom will be more practical. It may well save you a good deal on unnecessary expenses too. If you live on the coast and want to tackle offshore conditions then you will probably be looking for a boat with deep internal freeboard and deeper bow Vee to counter the chop.
Trailing your rig is an important consideration too. Standard sedans for example can tow up to 1600kgs on a trailer fairly easily, however anything much heavier will require a 4WD or higher end ute. If you are planning to launch from steep or rugged ramps or on the beach then a 4WD is certainly the way to go.
As for your trailer, once the rig exceeds 750kgs you will need brakes for your trailer. Once the rig hits the two-ton mark you will require a brake-away system with electric/hydraulic brakes. The legal road width for trailing in Australia is 2.5m, which is worth considering, as a boat that exceeds this width will require a wide load permit.

Right Type
Once again your purpose will affect your purchase. Remember that bigger is not always better and that you should always buy for your requirements.
The runabout style is a good all-round choice for the family boater looking to enjoy sunny days on the water over the weekend. There is plenty of room to fish and the spacious cockpit is ideal for the wife and kids. The simple addition of a canopy will give you all the weather protection you need too.
The cuddy design is great when you want to stay overnight or are in need of some weather and wave protection. A cuddy design is also more practical for southern state boaters where the weather can get colder.
A console design is the consummate fishing platform, providing walk-around decks and acres of fishing space. The drawback with the centralized driving position is a lack of shelter. This style of boat will be ideal for the daytime fisherman.
Lastly there is the bowrider style, which cleverly combines cruising and fishing aspects. This is achieved by the provision of a centralised walk-through aisle and fold up windscreen. Bow lounges are often convertible to provide a casting platform or additional fishing space. For the amateur fisherman who wants to keep the family in comfort the bowrider might be an answer.
The amount of shelter provided by these styles is often a prime consideration when buying. The harsh Australian sun and frequent cold, wet and windy conditions in southern states often make boating very unpleasant without sufficient shelter. This is why, regardless of the design type, its worth investigating your options on a bimini, clears or folding canopy.

New or Used
The question of new or used boat is most interesting, especially if you have a limited budget. Sometimes second hand might be the answer, however the advantages of buying new boat is you get a reliable motor and the latest in design technology. A hull and engine warranty is also added benefits of buying new boats. New boats generally allow for four-stroke technology too, which is another environmentally friendly incentive.
The decision here is really a personal one, because in some cases a well cared for second-hand or used boat may save you plenty of dollars. However, used boats also tend to have many more question marks than a factory-fresh model.

Finally, when it comes time to sign on the dotted line you should be comfortable with your dealer and confident that he/she will be there if problems occur in future. To this end its a good idea to see if the dealer is a member of the Boating Industry Association (BIA), and equally importantly, well respected and trusted.
A new boat will come with a specified HIN number and your dealer will provide you with registration, insurance and warranty paperwork too.
Ensure your boat is insured and has third party accident cover from the moment you take possession. Be aware that during the pre Christmas period it can take several weeks, sometimes even months, for your boat to be delivered.
Lastly, dont forget to give the boat a run before you take off for the holiday up the coast, that way you can iron out any problems while you are close to the dealer.
So if you are after a boat, happy hunting and remember to keep what you really want and can afford foremost in mind. Do that and youll be happy with the end result.